While there may be instances of editorial control, indications are that professionalism has been improving and so journalists at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and other state media institutions are pushing back. Another instrument in upholding media independence is the establishment of the ombudsman’s office. Founded and set up by the Editors Forum of Namibia, the office of the media ombudsman forms a part of the self-regulatory mechanism that receives complaints about the media by the public. Experience has shown that the self-regulation system is more accessible, quicker and cheaper than the courts in dealing with complaints. In May 2022, radio journalist Elifas Bonifatius reportedly fractured his ankle after he was shot with a rubber bullet by the Namibian Police at China Town while covering a demonstration by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters political party. The matter is currently in court and drew a lot of interest from a number of editors in Namibia. Lawyers condemned the manner in which the police used force in breaking down demonstrations. Police generally offer protection to journalists during protests, but in this case the law enforcement agents did not warn media workers prior to firing warning bullets. Since it involves editors being judged by their peers, it also has a particularly strong authority. The state does not explicitly protect media practitioners, and state officials are sometimes heavy-handed when handling journalists. The challenge, however, is that the media ombudsman’s office, which is run on a part-time basis, is that it is virtually a one-person show, with some support from an intern. According to fesmedia Africa, no independent or investigative body investigates attacks on the media, although there is an official police complaints department.(5) There is a lack of capacity, as there is no actual office, budget, permanent support staff or other resources. On February 12, 2022, Namibian police briefly detained freelance investigative reporters John Grobler and Nrupesh Soni for allegedly trespassing at the GoHunt Namibia Safaris farm in the Omaheke region, east of the capital, Windhoek, because they used a drone to film elephants on private property.(6) SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS Namibia President Hage Geingob 55